Here's the sunburst platter released from the glass plate hump mold and flipped over. For a minute the clay had a suction to the glass and I almost thought I couldn't get it loose, but finally it came loose. I've carved in a pattern and it's now propped up and drying. The plate has sixteen rays and is about fifteen inches in diameter. The cleanup and carving took about two hours. This is definitely a labor of love.
Here's what the plate looked like fresh off the hump mold. The shiny sections are the WD 40 which wasn't dry. I used a paper towel to blot the excess oil. I'm using soft foam as a support during drying. I don't hold too much hope for this platter making it without warping. The wall sculptures I made with this same clay warped quite a bit in the once firing; lots of pieces to smash. Oh well I guess I'll have to make another one.
Look at the drying pattern on this plate, strange. Maybe I can fashion some type of prop to hold up the outer edges of the plate during firing. I could use a kiln post, but that adds more heat. As the plate shrinks during firing the post might make the plate crack. I couldn't think of a way to attach an additional footring since the sides slope gradually up. I wish I had made a removable foot ring. Wads might blow up during firing. Any other ideas to prop under the sides during firing?
Up next the warped red clay pieces and results from the second once fire. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.
not sure how this would work but maybe if you use several half moon shaped coils made with the same clay under the outer edges they would shrink at the same rate as your plate?
ReplyDeleteHi Anna, thanks, a half moon shape would have the least amount touching the plate above it. I may make a bunch of them and let them dry and then set them under there. After all this work I'd like for it to turn out. thanks again.
ReplyDeleteOh, I hope it makes it. Really pretty!
ReplyDeleteso pretty! keeping my fingers and toes crossed for it's survival.
ReplyDeleteHi Patricia, thanks, we shall see if not I'll make a white stoneware one.
ReplyDeleteHi Michele, thanks, I am trying to figure out how to glaze it. I don't think I have any transparent glazes and if I glaze it with something else it will cover up the carving. Hum.
Very cool! Oh yeah, I forgot that when I used those vintage glass trays my clay stuck too!! My pieces also dried weird -I had to use moist paper towels on some of the edges to control even drying. You also reminded me that when I needed to keep things propped up in the kiln, I had several extra cone holders(?) those rectangle little brick things you place your cones in and would prop up or keep certain sculptural pieces in place. They worked great!
ReplyDeleteYou might be surprised about how it makes it through the firing. Good luck with it!
ReplyDeleteHi Cindy, thanks, oh I am so glad you mentioned those cone holders, I have them right under my nose and didn't even think of that. I don't want to add moist paper towels because I have found adding additional moisture on the clay promotes cracking, but I have heard of waxing the parts that dry too quickly, we shall see, thanks.
ReplyDeleteHi Regi, thanks, I hope I am surprised at this one, that would be so cool, as there is always the need for a big platter when there are lots of guests or if we go to a party.
After 2 hours of carving I would have suggested supporting it well, wrapping it tightly in plastic and let it dry SLOWLY. I've never seen a piece damaged by slow drying but quick drying has killed many. This one is too beautiful to rush.
ReplyDeleteThat sunburst platter looks so pretty. I hope it makes it and becomes usable. Lovely!
ReplyDeleteBTW, I sent you email about the charging. I would prefer to check out with Visa, not PayPal, so could you please change that? Thanks.
Love the three dimensional look on the edges.
ReplyDeleteLinda, Thank you so much for your comment on my blog. I love this platter, I hope it makes it too. But depending on the warp, you might find you have something just as wonderful. If a little unexpected.
ReplyDeleteYour work is wonderful. I can't wait to check it out. Off to Etsy, (Jack hid the CCards)
Pamela Jo
Hi Lori, thanks, I have it in the cabinet, not sure why it is drying so oddly. I dry all slowly because I fire infrequently so they get their chancs to lounge in the drying mode.
ReplyDeleteHi Gigi, thanks, I hope it makes it too. I think you can check other to pay by other method other than pay pal.
Hi Patti, thanks, the glass platter actually has an indentation at the ends of the rays which I didn't notice when I made the platter I think that adds to the three dementionality.
Hi Pamela Jo, thanks, I hope it turns out one way or another too. I hid my own credit cards, Ha.